Toyota Recalling Almost 775,000 Trucks, SUVs Because of
Steering Problems

2004 Toyota Tundra on Recall
List

WASHINGTON May 17, 2005; Ken Thomas writing for the AP reported that
Toyota Motor Corp., in one of its largest safety recalls ever, said Tuesday
it is recalling more than 750,000 pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles
because of problems with the front suspension that could hinder
steering.

The company said the recall covers 774,856 vehicles in the United
States, including the 2001-2004 model years of the Tacoma, the 2001-2002
versions of the 4Runner and the 2002-2004 model years of the Tundra and
Sequoia.

Toyota said the surface of a ball joint which connects to the front
suspension may have been scratched when it was manufactured, which could
lead to wear and tear over time.

Any excessive wear or looseness in the joint could force drivers to
exert more effort when steering, allow the vehicle to drift and increase
the amount of noise from the suspension.

Ming-Jou Chen, a Toyota spokeswoman, said the company had confirmed six
cases in which the condition existed in the suspension. There have been no
injuries associated with the problems.

Toyota said it planned to conduct a similar recall of the affected
vehicles in Canada, Japan, Australia and other countries, but did not
immediately have the number of vehicles that would be covered outside the
U.S.

Chen said it was one of the largest recalls in company history.

In 1992, Toyota recalled about 550,000 Camrys from the 1987-1990 model
years because of the potential for power door locks to malfunction and lock
passengers out of or inside the vehicles.

In 2002, the company recalled nearly 400,000 subcompact and minicar
vehicles exported to the United States, Europe and Canada because of
improperly designed brake fluid pipes.

In Tuesday's recall of trucks and SUVs, owners will be notified
beginning in July and will be able to have the problem fixed at no cost,
Chen said.

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